Meraki Journeys

*This is at the Sunflower house I was driving in the middle of the state of Utah among mountains, the beautiful sky and farm animals. It was absolutely stunning and I heard a few songs with something that reminded me of the ukulele. I knew of a music shop in town that I could buy one from and decided that was the first thing I was doing when I got back.  I named her Gloria I made a case from some fabric I thought suited the instrument. I quilted it and used my serger on the inside seams. It has the printed top layer, thick fleece and upholstery fabric for lining. I traced around it leaving a seam allowance. The edge pieces start wider for the base of the instrument and taper toward the tuning pegs. I inserted 2 zippers and serged the seams  I serged all the pieces together, while holding my breath! There was a lot of layers! Quilted detail:

   Zelda Rupee Mobile *This is at the Sunflower House  I finally finished a rupee mobile idea I had started a few years ago. Its made from clay, scrap wood, copper wire, fishing line and wooden beads. More of the Zelda room here:  Zelda Room Imgur album . (This is my office, game/tv room.) The Imgur album has a complete walkthrough of my mural making adventure!

 *This is at the Sunflower House I signed up for quilt classes at my local sewing store and I am working on a variation of a "Lonestar". I am using all scraps from my fabric stash based on the bright floral fabric. I am learning a ton about my machine, piecing techniques and tools.  I am so grateful to have the time, money and space to pursue hobbies. It brings tears to my eyes when I think back on the roach and mold infested trailer I lived in for years. I was not with a stable partner. I was with someone who leeched off me and contributed nothing. I sacrificed hard to save and pay off debt so that I can have the things I want and need now. It was hard. I do everything with an immense sense of gratitude.  The quilting class is a great bunch of women and men too. All types of people work on quilts! Just in the first class we got to talking a bit serious on traumas in life and how we all cope and heal with art and quilting. I knew immediately I was in the right place and t...

  I started this quilt top years ago and had it in my "failure" pile since I got the geometry wrong in a few spots. I named it "Mind's Eye" and I wanted it to be a meditation on the cosmos, our world is how we see it and the intricate interconnectedness everything has. I make my own patterns so it was a bit rough. I do plan on trying the design again. Possibly with similar color schemes.  I was throwing an Easter Egg decorating party and only 2 co-workers showed up. It was really nice of them to come out! My one coworker asked if I had pictures of any quilts I made and I only had a picture of Minds Eye. I explained it was a failure and she said "I don't see it, if you finish it can I have it?" So I finished it and gave it to her at her retirement party.  *I did end up quilting more in the dark section at the top and bottom. I did simple triangles. 

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_studio

 Very Productive  Studio Time   I spent nearly 35-40 hours in the studio this past few weeks and I work a 40+ hour a week demanding job and mentoring. My fingers are worked to nubs. I am thoroughly exhausted but pleased with how much I got done. I push myself too hard. I know this, but how else does one become successful? By non-action?     My sister commented that I judge myself way too harshly and its a sad thing but that I do not apply that thinking to others. So that's good? Growing up in poverty affected my soul. My therapists says the many traumatic experiences shaped my personality.  My mantras lately have been "Keep fighting, never give up, do the new things even though it scares me. Find something joyful in today. Share my love openly. " Feet First into the Unknown   I always jump into new things I have no clue about without doing too much research. Why? If I do research and plan everything, I might miss out on a spontaneous discovery th...